Everton hoping to end four-game losing run in Leicester.

2024-09-17

Leicester City and Everton clash at the King Power Stadium this Saturday, both desperate to secure their first win of the season and avoid extending their winless streaks, in a matchup loaded with history and high stakes.

Leicester City

Leicester City endured a series of disappointing results, with two defeats flanked by draws [DLLD]. Last weekend, they squandered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Jamie Vardy [21’] initially put them ahead, and Stephy Mavididi [46’] extended the lead, before Jean-Philippe Mateta [47’, 90’+2 P.] equalized with a stoppage-time penalty.

This result left Leicester City with just a point, causing them to slip to 15th place with only 2 points. They aim to secure their first win of the season against Everton this weekend, after failing to clinch victory in their first four games. Historically, failing to win the opening four matches hasn’t boded well for them, as was the case in 1994-95, 2003-04, and 2022-23, when they faced relegation.

Leicester's record against Everton in recent encounters is not very encouraging, with only one win in their last seven matches [1W, 3D, 3L]. For the upcoming fixture, a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jamie Vardy leading the attack is anticipated. Odsonne Edouard returns to the squad after missing the game against his parent club Crystal Palace, while Jakub Stolarczyk and Patson Daka remain sidelined due to ankle injuries.

Everton

Everton's recent 3-2 loss to Aston Villa served as a harsh reminder for Sean Dyche of the team's struggles to maintain a two-goal lead, echoing a similar defeat against Bournemouth. After the match, Dyche stated, "Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the margins again today. It's a tough one to take, for different reasons than the last game."

This defeat left Everton at the bottom of the table with a -9 goal difference, having lost all four opening games of the season [LLLL]. As if things weren't difficult enough, Tuesday’s EFL Cup third-round exit added to Everton’s woes, with the club losing on penalties to Southampton [5-6] following a 1-1 draw.

After the game, Dyche reminded his team of the importance of "killing games off." He will be hoping that his advice is taken to heart when Everton travel to face Leicester City on Saturday. A defeat against another struggling side like Leicester City would mark the first time since 1927 that Everton would lose five opening games in a row.

For the upcoming fixture against Leicester City, a 4—2—3—1 formation with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the attack is expected. Everton's ability to hold a lead will be crucial in avoiding unwanted history.